About 20 people used the warming center at First Congregational Church on Thursday night, from “very young adults” to older veterans, said Christy Druffel, executive director of Walla Walla County United Way.

The warming center, accessed through the church’s parking lot at 73 S. Palouse St., will operate at least through tonight. After that officials will decide to open based on predicted nighttime temperatures.

The cold snap that brought single digit temperatures and snow to the Walla Walla Valley this week is expected to moderate starting Saturday, although lows in the 20s and snow is in the forecast for the weekend.

In addition to overnighters at the warming center Thursday, a family of five came in to request warm winter coats, Druffel said. One woman brought in a dozen U.S. Army blankets her father had brought home after serving in World War II.